Apple fined in Oz 4G iPad claim fiasco

The Australian Federal Court has ruled that Apple misled Aussie consumers about the iPad’s network capabilities and fined the iDevice maker AUD$2.2 million with a further AUD$300K in costs to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission who brought the case to trial.

The court found that Apple had deceived the Aussie public by advertising and promoting the cellular-equipped iPad as “4G” capable, something that is true in its native North American environment.

Apple's failed ban attempt in Oz helps Samsung

Samsung Australia's spokesman says Apple's court case against the Galaxy Tab 10.1 has made the product a "household name", a bonus for the Korean phone maker obviously unintended by the Cupertino tech giant. The Tab is already being sold following a ruling that finally legitimized its sales in Oz. Now, Samsung is reportedly experiencing a stellar sales period, the Galaxy Tab and the Galaxy Nexus both appearing in store for the first time in Australia.

The intense media coverage generated by the Apple-instigated court battle has made the Galaxy Tab a "household name", according to Samsung's Tyler McGee, exceeding the buzz that their normal marketing effort would have achieved. So much so, the spokesman stated, that "there will probably be short supply against the demand". Not a terrible position to be in, one would imagine.

Foad Fadaghi, Telsyte telecomms specialist, expects that Samsung will take the number two spot in the Australian tablet market. Apple, the current leader, has seen its position in the worldwide market drop heavily from virtually pwning it a year ago, to its current 50%. While that's still an enormous lead over its nearest manufacturer competitor, the trend certainly looks ominous for the iPad creator.

In addition to the Tab 10.1, Samsung intends to market the 7.7" version alongside its larger sibling in the lead-up to Christmas, and the 8.9" variant will appear on the shelves in Q1 of the new year.

McGee also confirmed that from August 2011, "the number one overall brand in mobile phones in Australia and also the number one brand in smartphones" was Samsung, effectively demoting Apple's iPhone to also-ran status. Which helps explain Apple's willingness to court criticism (excuse the pun) over its propensity for litigation instead of competition. They have a great deal to lose.

Source: Sydney Morning Herald

Apple fails to re-establish Galaxy Tab 10.1 ban in Oz

The contenders face off in the stores for a change

Despite Apple gaining a further week's continuance of the injunction against the Galaxy Tab 10.1 to plead their case for an appeal hearing, the Australian Federal Court has today denied that plea. As a result, the Galaxy Tab 10.1 will be on sale in time for Christmas. A week ago, the Court found that in granting the temporary ban in the first place, the original judge hadn't properly considered the evidence, however Apple's lawyers used the legal system to extend the injunction for a further week, supposedly seeking "special leave" to appeal the appeal, and in doing so surely caused more financial harm to Samsung in the lead up to Christmas.